for now, fiscal cliff negotiations have slowed activity. "this is where the market is frustrated by politics. it's a vicious circle." even at a meeting of start-ups, a group some consider below the radar of fiscal cliff negotiations, some entrepreneurs are becoming unusually cautious. "you have to take pause and assess what healthcare and taxes may cost, but we also have an obligation to our investors, so we see the fiscal cliff thing as a temporary roadblock but not something that...it won't stop us from hiring at this moment." one bright spot - according to analysts at mesirow, housing, expecially new housing, in many markets is being driven by investors purchasing homes. another indicator - remodeling. people are putting money into their homes more now. carpeting, appliances, and contract work all spreads the wealth. thank you chuck. still ahead, stocks that make the "must own" list for 2013, right after the break. here is a question a lot of people are asking themselves this time of year - how's your equity portfolio looking? little anx